So it turns out I’ve been walking with quite a few plants this month, this with essays to write and research to process and Materia Medica to study and the plants that visit me of their own accord making their voice loud enough to be heard and seen (love you longtime Rose).
Earlier in the month I ordered Elderberry and Echinacea syrup/tincture from the farm that hosts our course, just so I could explore. Of course as things go their way I came down with a little cold so I could test the facts in truth.
Elder is my kind of girl, strong and resilient without showiness, not afraid to flush things out. Elder has extensive uses with its two seasons of flowers for cordials and berries for syrups to name a few and even its leaves can be used as an emollient.
My first experience is as a strong expectorant which is not surprising as it is a mover and shaker of stagnation and fluids. For someone who is prone to congestion at the transitions of Spring and Autumn it is quite an eye opener. The respiratory system is definitely open and fuller for the first time in ages. There is vibrant energy and heat where the lack of exercise in the past few weeks had left me sluggish. I feel positively stimulated! The cold has been deferently squashed within days (supported with other dietary remedies) and I am breathing better than before. I call that results. Take a spoon of syrup a day diluted in water 1:5 for prevention or catarrh and tell me what you think?
On another note, I have tincture on my mind since I realised in the past couple of weeks thanks to a teacher and then a chat with my tutor that I may have been a little heavy handed on the use of tinctures whilst trying to work with a few herbs. Basically watch out for the alcohol intake peeps, the medicinal compounds are, unless otherwise stated, extracted via maceration in alcohol and a little goes a long way. Onwards with love 🌿
Anne Schouvey 